(CNN) - The election of 2012 may well be the first truly social election in U.S. political history with voters' voices heard across the internet well before they enter the voting booth. As a result, the national conversation will play a bigger role than ever in the way news organizations such as CNN cover the story.

With the kick off this week of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida and next week's Democratic National Convention, CNN presents its social take on the conventions. Consider the following guide an open invitation to participate in the way we cover the events of the next two weeks and the entire general election season to follow.FULL POST

(CNN) – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched a series of automated phone calls Monday linking House Republicans to Rep. Todd Akin's controversial comments about rape, according to a release from the organization.

The GOP's Senate candidate in Missouri came under fire when he explained his opposition to abortion by citing unnamed female bodily responses that he said prevent pregnancy in instances of "legitimate rape" during an interview with a Missouri television station.FULL POST

(CNN) - GOP convention officials went to great lengths Sunday to cram a four-day event into three days after it canceled the gathering's Monday calendar, citing severe weather conditions from Tropical Storm Isaac.

But did they jump the gun when they first decided Saturday to delay the start of the convention?FULL POST

(CNN) – Coinciding with the Republican National Convention, MoveOn.org's political wing released a new television ad Monday to air in the Tampa media market attacking Mitt Romney for what the group claims is his focus on the rich.

The 30-second spot titled "Stepping on the Middle Class," features presumptive GOP presidential nominee and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan look-alikes preparing to accept the Republican Party's nominations. As the duo crosses the stage, they literally step on people dressed as typical middle-class Americans – fire fighters, students, seniors and children – lying on the convention floor. The ad concludes with Romney and Ryan, accepting the nomination for "president and vice president of the 1%."FULL POST

(CNN) - Tampa, Florida, was set to assume center stage in American politics as the GOP gathers there to nominate Mitt Romney as the party's presidential nominee. But now the city and Republicans are sharing the national spotlight with Tropical Storm Isaac, which is expected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast late Tuesday or Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane.

By the numbers, here's a look at Tampa, host city to the 2012 Republican National Convention.

(CNN) - Accepting the Sarasota GOP "Statesman of the Year" award Sunday night, real estate titan Donald Trump had some fighting words for his Republican friends this fall–and said them without a hint of irony.

"I hope they are tough as hell and mean as hell and they fight fire with fire. And if they do–and if they're smart because it's all about being smart–we're going to have a great president of the United States," Trump said at the event.FULL POST

Tampa, Florida (CNN) - Republican strategist Karl Rove ramped up his criticism of Missouri candidate Todd Akin on Monday, calling his recent remarks about rape and abortion "morally incomprehensible" and insisting that he drop out of the race.

"I know Todd. He is a good man and he's got a good heart," Rove said at a breakfast in Tampa hosted by Politico. "He said a really stupid, indefensible thing from which there is no recovery and if he really cares are about the values of conservatism and pro-life, he will not go down for defeat as the biggest loss by a Republican candidate for Senate in modern history."FULL POST

(CNN) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he expects delegate tension between the Ron Paul and Mitt Romney teams to lighten up this week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, especially considering that Paul's son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, was asked to speak at the convention.

"I think the Ron Paul people have said openly they are going to be supportive on the floor and do not expect problems," Gingrich said on CNN's "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien." "Plus, Rand Paul has played a role and does get a speech. It's unlikely that Ron Paul will want to embarrass his son in that kind of a setting."